The Problem Child

Twenty Five

"Now don't freak out! I'm not going to hurt you!"

"Bullshit." Max glared.

"Language." David whispered.

Max covered David's mouth with his hand, not breaking eye contact with Daniel.

"Why are you here?" Max asked sternly.

Daniel sighed.

"I'm leaving to jail soon and I wanted to apologize. To both of you." Daniel glanced at the ground.

"Huh?" Max and David asked.

Daniel walked over to Max and kneeled down.

"I don't expect you to forgive me for all I did. But I'm truly sorry Max." Daniel said quietly.

Max noticed a small tear forming in his eye.

Max gave him an angry look and stared deeply into his eyes.

"Your right. I don't forgive you. But I'm too mad. I just need to know why." Max glared.

"Ok. I wanted David. He... was the only one who cared about me and I don't know how to react." Daniel held back tears as he spoke.

"That's how I feel! But wouldn't murder anyone!" Max said harshly.

"You almost killed me." Daniel shrugged.

"It was self defence!" Max argued.

Daniel rolled his eyes and went over to David.

David was crying and Daniel let a single tear fall.

"I'm sorry Davey! I-I'm so sorry!" Daniel let his emotions go and cried into David's shirt.

David looked down at him then at Max.

Max nodded and David smiled.

It's ok! Don't cry! It's ok!" David cried too and petted Daniels back.

Daniel stood up and wiped the tears off his face.

"See ya in ten years." He said before walking away.

Max smiled. He finally had a family.

Sure it was an over happy man and a cultist but it was good enough.

Max watched Daniel leave, and cried for the first time in 11 years.

He cried.